“Rhiannon,” Xavier says, when he enters my room a few days later. Since he didn’t say hello, I don’t feel the need to acknowledge him.

I sit on the bed, my long hair hanging like a curtain to hide his face from me as I scribble on another card.

“Get up.”

“Why?” I glance at him.

He steps closer. “Stop questioning me. You’ll live longer.”

“If you wanted me dead, you would have killed me already.”

“Don’t tempt me. Now get up.” His eyes study me in a way he never has before. Almost like he’s worried I might not follow.

“Fine.” I swing my legs over the bed in an exaggerated movement, and my feet land on the floor. “Can I ask where we’re going?”

“No.”

Nice.

He leads me out the door, down the hall, and through the front door into the sunshine.

“What are you doing?” I ask, squinting in the bright light of the sun’s rays.

“I figured you could use a walk outside. But no talking.” Out of nowhere, he grabs my hand and walks me down the stone path to the small set of woods flanking the front yard.

Ah, fresh air. I can finally breathe again.

Still as bossy as ever. Is it weird we’re holding hands? Is it weirder that I almost like it? Almost.

I finally get a good look at the property. It's a little disheartening for someone planning an escape attempt. The two-story brick house sits on a secluded lot of land with woods surrounding. For anyone to find this fortress they’d have to know it’s here.

And they must not, because no one really comes here. No visitors, no guests, only him and his loyal men.

The sole woman I’ve seen is Krista. She's nice enough. Very cheery. But what makes her work for these men? What makes a person immune to another’s captivity? I don't ever want to be that person.

How could Xavier become that person?

The boy turned hardened man beside me is as mysterious as the morning dense fog that surrounds the trees like a veil of secrets.

“This place is beautiful,” I say to break the silence.

“Mmm.”

“I’ve always liked summer best.” I tell him, wanting to fill the silence.

“Yeah.”

“You’re probably a fall guy, huh?”

He doesn't say anything, only shrugs his broad shoulders.

“Most people are.” I glance over at him. “I just don't get why people love it so much.”

“All the colors?” he asks, cutting his eyes to me.

“Probably, but everything is dying. It's kind of sad.”

“Well, winter is worse, because everything's dead.”

He squeezes my hand just a bit, it's barely even noticeable, but to me, the imperceptible movement is enough to send a tiny shrill of excitement to my heart.

Must be a leftover teenage reaction.

“True. But, most people hate winter.”

He stops, and turns to face me. “This is the property. You can have free range of the house and outside,” he says, cutting me off about the seasons. But, I don't care...free range. What is he thinking giving me access to roam? I could almost hug him.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

He resumes walking without acknowledging my words.

He keeps his stare fixed on where we’re headed and his hand tightly around mine.

We walk a few more minutes while I keep trying to make small talk without much help from him.

“You’re quite the chatterer,” I say, trying to still my steps beside him.

“I said no talking.”

But I don’t listen. This is ridiculous. He can't do this to me with no explanation. “You’re not even going to tell me where you’ve been? Have you been here the whole time?”

“I’ve been here and there,” he drawls. “I’ve been everywhere.”

“You sound like a Dr. Seuss book.”

This earns me a glance and a small twinkle in his eyes. “What do you want me to say, Rhi?”

The use of Rhi, instead of Rhiannon, makes me believe we’re still connected and not the strangers we’ve become.

“I just want to know what happened to you.”

He continues his strides at a quick pace, and I have no choice but to keep up. “I did what I had to do. The end,” he says.

And the conversation is over. He probably won’t ever tell me, so, I try a new angle. “Why kidnap me?”

He doesn’t slow, navigating us through the trunks of trees as we trudge deeper into the woods. “I need you, that’s why.”

Words I’ve wanted to hear since I was fifteen years old fall from his lips, but not in the meaning I wished back then.

“Why?”

He finally stops, his breath coming out in quick short bursts. “You sure ask a lot of damn questions.”

“And get no answers,” I retort.

Giving up on finding out any useful information, I let him lead me again, and we walk in silence until we come to a clearing with a small lake. The water ripples as the wind rushes over. He drops my hand and sits on a small patch of grassland. I could run, but where? I drop down beside him.

“Do you remember the night of your fourteenth birthday party? he asks with a small smile.

“I was so scared that night.” And I was. I think back on my father's face when he saw Xavier with me.

“Why didn't you stay in Maine?”

“How do you know I went to Maine?”

He stares at me, his hair gently rustling in the breeze. “Lucky guess?”

“Have you been keeping tabs on me all these years?”

He laughs, but there's no humor there. “No, but I do know a few things.”

My mind takes off like a jet engine, wondering what all he knows about my life. And as much as I want to ask, I keep the conversation on neutral ground. He's talking, so that's a win in my book.

“It’s peaceful here,” I finally say after a few minutes.

“Yeah, I haven’t been out here much.”

“Too busy?”

He casts his eyes to gaze at the soft, rippling lake.

I lean back on my hands. “I missed you.”

His eyes shoot to mine. “You shouldn’t have. I’m not the same guy anymore, Rhi.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Have you seen anything in the past few days to think otherwise?”

I have. Just giving me the gift of cardstock and drawing pens is very much like the old Xavier, but I don’t tell him that. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

I glance out to the crystal lake, catching the sun’s glare off the small waves, once more. The only sound is the birds chirping and my thundering heart wishing for all the things that could have been. And it’s in this moment, I let it fade away. My Xavier is gone now.

He stands, reaching his hand down to me. “Let’s head back.”

I don't take his hand this time.

* * *

The next morning, Xavier fetches me for our morning breakfast, and already my stomach recoils at the thought of spending any time with him.

“You remember Dean?” he asks, on our way to the kitchen. “He’s coming here today.”

Ah, Dean. How could I ever forget the boy who constantly baited me.

When we reach the dining area, I take my usual seat and Xavier sits close to me.

“So, you and Dean have remained friends over the years?” I ask. My appetite disappears, and I shake my head no to the fork with scrambled eggs.

“Yes,” he brings the fork closer to my lips, “now open.”

“No,” I tell him. “Is he like your boss?”

This earns me a chuckle from his infuriating sexy lips. “No, more like my right hand man.”

“Oh, I see.” But, I really don’t. How nice. The fact he remained in contact with Dean doesn't sit well with me.

He lifts the fork to my lips again, and I turn my head. “If I can't feed myself, I won't eat.”

He eyes me and the tip of his tongue caresses the corner of his mouth.

“I’m not going to attack you. It’s not like I’m going to bring you down with an eating utensil.” And let’s be real here, the thought of piercing flesh with a fork repulses me. “Even though I may want to,” I mumble under my breath.

His hand holding the fork is still suspended in the air as he studies my face. Then he hands it over to me.

A little stunned he actually gave in, I take it, scooping the food from my plate and taking a bite.

“Maybe I liked feeding you.”

“It’s the control, huh?” I ask as I grab another forkful.

He raises his brow. “Something like that.”

And then he turns away from me. And that’s it for our conversation.

Somewhere in the late evening, I fall asleep out of sheer boredom. It’s dark when I wake, and I cross to the window and lean my forehead against the cool panes.

A convertible, black car pulls into the circular drive, and when the door opens, a man, wearing jeans and a grey button down shirt, emerges.

A few minutes later, my door opens.

“She’s in here,” Xavier says, stepping to the side and revealing the mystery man.

Dean’s eyes meet mine. So odd seeing the adult version of ourselves. He's handsome now. Light hair, cut short, and a tall lean physique that now has muscles. He's blonde like Ian, but not pale and ghostly, a golden tan warms his skin.

“What are you thinking, Xavier?” He scrubs a hand down his face, probably trying to erase the memory of me.

“Don’t question me.” Xavier’s voice leaves no room for argument.

Dean only sighs. “She’ll get us all killed.” And with those words he breaks his stare from me and leaves the room.

“Well it was good to see you again too,” I say, sarcastically.

Something flickers behind Xavier’s icy stare before he follows Dean out.

“Come back soon,” I call out to the closed door.

I don't know what he's planning.

It isn’t a secret that my father will look for me. I’m sure he’s called the calvary to bring his princess back to his castle, so I can marry the prince and live unhappily ever after.

For one fleeting moment, I’m happy to be here with Xavier and not at home. Even though he’s playing a dangerous game. And it could only get worse. So much worse.